Exhaust mechanism for locomotives



No Model.)

J. O. HERON, EXHAUST MECHANISM FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

No. 533,461. Patented Feb. 5, 1895.

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UNITED STATES PAIEN this.

JAMES C. HERON, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

EXHAUST MECHANISM FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,461, dated February 5, 1895.

Application filed November 15,1894. Serial No. 528.859- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. HERON, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramseyand State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Exhaust Mechanism for Locomotives, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in the nozzlesot exhaust mechanism, whereby the exhaust steam from the locomotive is delivered into the Smokestack thereof; and it is specifically related to that class in which means are provided for enlarging and diminishing the size of the nozzle, so that the size may be regulated to suit the exigencies of the occasion. This enlargement and decrease in the size of the nozzle is made necessary during the various periods in the operation of the locomotive, as is well understood.

The object of this invention is to make the operation of the nozzle more efficient and regular, and to so construct the parts that the complete adjustment of the nozzle will be insured.

To this end the invention consists in a nozzle provided with a series of spring-actuated plates, capable of swinging on their mountings so that their upper ends will move inwardly, thus decreasing the space at said upper ends, which space is the nozzle of the exhaust pipe. This operation of the swinging plates is effected by means of a tapering ring which engages their lower ends and operates to push the same outwardly, the said ring being provided with a cam plate, so that upon the revolution of the ring the cam plate will operate to raise the same.

The invention also consists in certain improved devices for mounting the swinging plates, and in the peculiar construction of said devices.

In the drawings: Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a nozzle constructed after the manner of my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical section thereof; Fig. 3, a detail perspective, parts being shown in section and in illustration of the method of mounting the swinging plates by which the nozzle is increased or diminished in size.

The reference numeral 1 indicates the exhaust pipe, which proceeds from the cylinders of the locomotive, and which projects into the Smokestack and at the center thereof. The upper end of the pipe 1 is formed with eight radial tongues 2, which project out horizontally from the pipe and which are arranged at equidistant points throughout the circumference of the pipe 1.

3 indicates the swinging plates aforesaid, which are one for each of the tongues 2, and which are formed at their middles with the transversely-elongated slots l, respectively receiving the tongues 2 of the pipe 1, whereby the plates are mounted in the proper position.

Each of the plates 3 is about twice as wide as one-eighth of the circumference of the pipe 1, so that said plates 3 will lie with their edges projected by the contiguous edges, or willbe inter-relai ed, as is Well shown in Fig. 1. This arrangement makes it possible for the plates to move past each other in the operation of contracting the nozzle, as will be well under stood.

The length of the tongue 2 is such that the said tongues will project considerably beyond the plates 3, and these projected ends have mounted upon them the laterally-extended or flattened ring 5, formed, preferably, of sheet metal, and riveted to a portion or to all of the tongues. In the drawings the ring 5 is shown to be riveted to but four of the tongues, and this peculiar arrangement has been resorted to for no substantial reason; but since this is all that is essential, no others have been riveted. It will be understood, however, that all the tongues may be riveted to the ring 5, or that the number may be varied at will.

The purpose of the ring 5 is to hold the plates 3 in place and prevent them from moving out on the tongues 2. It will be understood, however, that the plates are free to swing on the tongues notwithstanding the ring 5. 6 indicates a spring strap or wire, which is made to embrace the plates 3 directly below the ring 5, and which operates to give said plates a tendency, at their lower ends, toward the pipe 1. Thus the normal tendency of the nozzle will be to open as far as possible, and this normal tendency is only overcome on the exertion of a force greater than that exerted by the spring 6.

The lower ends of the plates 3 are bent outwardly to a slight degree, so that the upper end of the conical rim 7 may be normally arranged inward of said end. The rim 7 is formed of sheet metal and is rigidly secured to, or made integral with, the sleeve 8, which has its lower end formed with the three cam faces 9. The sleeve 8, with its cam faces 9, is the cam plate hereinbefore referred to; and the cam faces each operate with the studs 10, projecting out from the pipe 1 and being one for each cam face.

11 indicates an arm which projects outwardly and upwardly from the sleeve 8, and which is provided to permit operating said sleeve. This operation consists in revolving said sleeve on the pipe 1, which will cause the cam faces 9 to travel up their respective studs 10, and thereby raise the sleeve 8 and conical rim 7. This rim 7 moves under the lower ends of the plates 3 and wedges said lower ends outwardly, which results in the inward movement of the plates 3, and in a consequent contraction of the nozzle. The sleeve 8 is to be operated by any suitable rod and lever mechanism connected to the arm 11, and extending to the cab of the locomotive, where it may be connected to the reversing lever of the locomotive, or it may be operated directly, as preferred.

The sleeve Sis automatically returned to its normal position upon the reversal of the said rod and lever mechanism; and this operation of returning the sleeve 8 is helped by the gravity of the sleeve and by the pressure of the plates 3 upon the rim 7.

The use of my invention will be obvious and will not, therefore, require any further description, it being understood that it is necessary to regulate the size of the exhaust nozzle at various periods during the operation of the locomotive, and that this may be easily effected by revolving the sleeve 8 on the pipe 1. It will be understood that as the rim 7 is moved upwardly the contraction of the nozzle will immediately follow, since this will cause the inward movement of the upper ends of the plates 3 with the result hereinbefore described. By means of my peculiarly constructed nozzle the exhaust is kept in the center of the smoke stack at all times, irrespective of the condition of the nozzle, that is ciple or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described the invention, I claim- 1. In an exhaust nozzle for locomotives, the combination with an exhaust pipe, of a series of plates pivotally mounted at the upper end thereof and arranged so that their upper extremities will constitute the nozzle of the exhaust pipe, the said plates being capable of swinging so that these upper ends'will move to enlarge or diminish the size of the nozzle, and a tapering rim movable vertically on the exhaust pipe and co-operating with the lower ends of the swinging plates, substantially as described.

2. In an exhaust nozzle for locomotives the combination of an exhaust pipe having at its upper end a series of radially and horizontally projecting tongues, a swinging plate for each tongue and provided with a slot receiving the same, whereby the swinging plates are mounted, the upper ends of said swinging plates being arranged to form the nozzle of the exhaust pipe, a sleeve fitting loosely on the exhaust pipe and provided at its lower end with a cam face, a stud projecting out from the exhaust pipe and engaged by the cam face, and a tapering rim fixed to the sleeve and capable of engaging the lower ends of the swinging plates, substantially as described.

3. In an exhaust nozzle for locomotives, the combination of an exhaust pipe provided at its upper end with a series of horizontally and radially extending tongues, a. swinging plate for each tongue and formed with a slot respectively receiving said tongues, whereby the plates are pivotally mounted in place, a ring secured to the ends of the tongues and embracing the swinging plates, a spring strap or wire embracing the swinging plates at a point below the ring aforesaid, a sleeve fitting loosely on the exhaust pipe and provided at its lower end with a cam face, a stud projecting out from the exhaust pipe and operating with the cam face, and a conical rim secured to the sleeve and engaging the lower ends of the swinging plates, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES C. HERON.

Witnesses:

G. A. Jonnson, L. H. NORMAN. 

